I am interested in Sikhi & acquiring the 5k's.

Kellysingh · #1 (**permalink**) 28-Sep-2011, 10:55 AM

im 28/m/usa. I used to be a muslim. but my personal views clashed so i was forced to leave the faith. I came across sikhism and more i read, more i wanted to know about it. Im working on getting the 5k. i know they carry alot of responsibility but im ok with it. i have a turban, ordered a kara,kanga,all i need is a gatra(shoulder strap) and the kirpan, im am sadly unemployed and if anyone can help me out id appreciate it. also if anyone has a copy of holy book granith sahib in english or with both english and original language. im sorry if im offending anyone or moving to fast, but ive always respected all faiths and love to serve god wether it helpin others by simply opening the door or helping a neighbor out. right now i use a dagger for my kirpan (till i get a kirpan) and wear my turban. im regrowing out my beard and all . cause i shaved it off when i left islam. i hope i dont offend anyone. also anyone have or know what size of cotton shorts id wear if im 5'11 and 133 lbs? thank you all for reading this. peace be with you all.

Ambarsaria · #2 (**permalink**) 28-Sep-2011, 11:07 AM

KellySingh ji welcome to spn and your first post.

Specific to your query perhaps the following may be of help,

Identify your location and people can suggest the nearest congregation/Gurdwara that you can visit at your convenience and perhaps get local support.
The five K's are part of Sikh baptization act and as such you should work towards that and perhaps learn the essence rather than just the visibility of the 5K's. If you already good in that I apologize.
In terms of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji I suggest you download a softcopy which comes with transliteration and tranlation by S. Sant Singh ji Khalsa. The URL is below and it is free of charge,

http://www.gurbanifiles.org/translations/index.htm
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/37074-i-am-interested-sikhi-acquiring-5ks.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37074

4. There is a very good site which allows you to do online viewing and searches specific to what you are looking for and that URL is,

srigranth.org

I hope these provides you a base to build from and be a happy camper as a Sikh.

Sat Sri Akal.

Kellysingh · #3 (**permalink**) 28-Sep-2011, 11:12 AM

thank you. i appreciate. they are not for looks to me. while i only have turban and dagger for temporary kirpan and my long uncut hair (still regrowing rest of my hair ie beard and all) so with 2 of 5k i get tears in my eyes because i think of what they meaning means and i feel it in my heart that meaning. im not offended. i thank you for reply. i hope that makes sense

I live in Three Rivers,MI USA. it is south of kalamazoo,mi about 20mins. If anyone knows of close place to those areas that not too far id appreciate it.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37074
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37074

I downloaded the holy book. i just find it easier to read if it in my hands is all, that why i ask about a actual book. i did find a program that reads book in natural language with english underneath it. so that is cool.

Ishna · #4 (**permalink**) 28-Sep-2011, 11:57 AM

Kellysingh ji... welcome to SPN

We may have spoken on another forum recently.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37074

Why are you so eagre to get the 5ks when your so new to Sikhi?

Why aren't you content to learn first so you can be a good and educated representative of Sikhi?

I look forward to your reply.

Ishna.

Kellysingh · #5 (**permalink**) 28-Sep-2011, 12:13 PM

Well my reasoning is when i study/practice i dont just do it half in. I read/study and practice as well. so i get used to wearing them. im used to wearing turban since im a ex muslim. other things ive never worn so i simulate them best i can in order to understand because not only do i learn through books,pamplets,sites but through touch , sight , sound, spiritual feeling, so with my dagger as make shift kirpan and my turban allows me to experience it. I know that may not make sense or may even seem archaic or crazy, but it hard to explain. i get tears in my eyes when i think of god, and wear my turban and make shift kirpan. way they feel and mean, the feeling is hard to explain, i feel the meanings inside. what they are for and reasoning. i hope that clear things up and doesnt sound nuts.

Mai Harinder Kaur · #6 (**permalink**) 28-Sep-2011, 13:00 PM

Kellysingh ji,

This may be completely off topic, but I am seriously concerned about your health. If you are almost 6 feet tall and weigh only 133 lbs., you may well have a serious health problem. (183 cm, 60 kg.)

I suggest that you look into that with your family doctor as you study Sikhi.

BTW, I used a French Medieval dagger made for an ancestor of mine as a kirpan for many years, and while some might consider me a bit eccentric, it served me well in actual combat. I have also elsewhere in SPN described an unusual kara I once had. Still, I would suggest you visit the nearest gurudwara to get your Sikh supplies. If you are going to be a Sikh, interaction with the Sangat is essential.

Kellysingh · #7 (**permalink**) 28-Sep-2011, 13:05 PM

I very well maybe sick. idk. i never put any thought into it. during my first marriage , i was 5'11 and 145lbs. ive always been under weight. it why i wore layers of clothes in high school to make myself look bigger

. that bit off topic....

harry haller · #8 (**permalink**) 28-Sep-2011, 14:45 PM

Kellysinghji,

Wonderful that you are embracing sikhi so completely, I do agree with Ishnabhenji, it is easy to be trapped in the appearance of a sikh, but then I have no Kesh, so I probably would say that.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37074

It sounds like you are incredibly spiritual, brimming with feeling, I hope Sikhi channels these feelings into something beautiful for you,

Ishna · #9 (**permalink**) 29-Sep-2011, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kellysingh

Well my reasoning is when i study/practice i dont just do it half in. I read/study and practice as well. so i get used to wearing them. im used to wearing turban since im a ex muslim. other things ive never worn so i simulate them best i can in order to understand because not only do i learn through books,pamplets,sites but through touch , sight , sound, spiritual feeling, so with my dagger as make shift kirpan and my turban allows me to experience it. I know that may not make sense or may even seem archaic or crazy, but it hard to explain. i get tears in my eyes when i think of god, and wear my turban and make shift kirpan. way they feel and mean, the feeling is hard to explain, i feel the meanings inside. what they are for and reasoning. i hope that clear things up and doesnt sound nuts.

Kellysingh ji

It is not for me to critique your method of learning, however I do have some concerns about your approach. It probably stems from my idealistic frustration about Sikh identity in general. But please hear me out.

The 5 kakkars are given to fully fledged members of the Sikh faith who make a committment to follow Khalsa discipline. They are very deep symbols and also very public.

A Khalsa should stand out as a beacon of chardi kala, support, help and guidance to others in spiritual as well as material worlds.

The 5 kakkars form the uniform of the soldier-saint. You don't become one of these overnight.

My concern is, frankly, that your will appear as a Khalsa Sikh (fully fledged member of our community) without even foundational knowledge (our scripture is called Sri Guru Granth Sahib, for instance). Sikhs have a reputation to uphold and we're having enough trouble doing it on our own at the moment!

When people ask you why you have a turban, will you be able to answer them properly? When someone asks you what your religion is, can you give a fair summary? Can you in all sincerity say to someone "I am a Sikh, these are symbols of my faith"? Or would you say "I'm trying these on to learn about the religion"?

I'm not trying to put a dampener on your emerging interest. I'm pleading with you (as I believe I have already done elsewhere) to please learn more first before representing our community in public!

My idealistic vice would love if every Khalsa Sikh were in fact pure, that amrit sanchar would be done by all with the purest of intentions and with steadfast resolve to uphold the massive responsibility Sikhs are given to carry. The truth is there are too many false Khalsa getting around, you must approach every turban with caution.

If you want to look at it another way: wouldn't you prefer to keep your uniform for when you graduate? A police officer doesn't wear the uniform until they've been through cadet school and graduated. This should be the approach, I feel.

And it will be all the more special for you, to turn that page in your life when you have learned enough about Sikhi that you're confident you want to embrace this way of life 100%. And then the uniform will mean so much more to you than it will if you start wearing it now.

These are my thoughts, the sangat here may have other opinions.

I apologise for hurt feelings.

Gurfateh
Ishna.